On Thursday night Sempai owen, Sempai Jason and I decided at about midnight to go out and meet Sensei at a pub just down the street. W heard he was there with Soke Sensei. After a couple drinks time was getting on and it was after 1 am. I knew I had to go to the dojo at some point on friday so I asked Soke what time someone was going to be there and with out hesitation he pointed at me and said 6:30. So with that we were out the door to let everyone know and get to bed. Friday morning was the first time I had ever done morning training and even the first time I had trained in the sohonbu with my gi on. Some gave us what he called “very special training”. We got to use all the old training pots and concrete blocks. Apparently he does this only about once a year. I have been wanting to do morning training for a long time. I have heard all about it and I am glad I got to experience it for myself.

With only a couple days left in kumamoto we have been trying to see as much of the town and country side as possible. Our day out at Kikuchi Gorge the other day was epic. A few of us made our own waterfall pictures like Sensei Glen did nearly 20 years ago. It was easily one of the highlights of the trip. I have no idea how many laws we broke getting these pictures but they would have been worth any fine. We also drew a huge crowd on the bridge. There must have been 30 people watching us.

The last day or so we have also been trying to see as much of Kumamoto as possible. Today we went to the Kumamoto Prefectural Garden. It wasn’t as beautiful as the name might suggest but it was a cool place. There was a lot of people hanging out at the pond today as it’s a holiday weekend. If we have time we are going to try to take sunset pictures from the castle.

I’m throwing in one more random picture of a medical clinic I hope I never have to see the inside of.

It’s funny, it has been three days since I won kata at the soke cup and to be honest I still think I’m going to wake up from a dream. It has been a dream of mine for so long that I never thought it would come true. Even when I was standing on the mat after my kata I had to add the scores up twice before I could accept it. And even now it’s still hard.

Thank you to everyone for all the great things you have been saying to me over the last few days. I really don’t know how to express how it makes me feel. But it’s mostly uncomfortable. I’m not used to it I guess. Either way, thank you.

I have to send a huge thank you out to three very special people in my life. If it weren’t for the three of you there is no way I would have achieved my goals this weekend. So thanks Mom, Sensei and Sempai Cheryl. I owe you all more than I think I can ever repay.

I don’t have any pictures or video of my kata just yet. When I do I will post them here and on Facebook. For now here is a pic of the medal and certificate.

Today was pretty laid back. We had an amazing training this morning. It was just what my body needed this close to the tournament.

After training we got to go to a museum that was displaying some of Musashi’s original artwork, writings and even some swords that are believed to have been his. I spent a long time checking out the detail of the penmanship on the nearly 400 year old scroll. It was flawless.

Tomorrow we are going as a group the Sohonbu Dojo. It should be fun!!

Pics from the last day or so; The original The Shrike by musashi, the original wind book from the book of 5 rings, me and Coulson playing what we called Taiko Hero, and me in Jacksons glasses.